Focus on vacant or neglected properties has paid off
By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post
FARMINGTON – A concentrated effort to deal with vacant and neglected buildings and trailer homes in Farmington appears to be paying off.
At Monday’s meeting of the Farmington City Council, Police Chief Chris Darsham reported he has received responses regarding 21 of 30 vacant or neglected buildings or trailer homes currently in violation of city codes. A few other responses arrived Tuesday morning, the chief said, though he has not processed them yet.
Letters were sent to owners of the properties along with a form now required for vacant structures in the city.
“We just want to know who owns them and what their plans are for them,” Darsham said, adding forms are kept on file and properties that continue to be neglected will receive fines for ordinance violations.
The prospect of fines has spurred response, Darsham said. He expects half of the eight vacant trailers at 100 W. Pearl St. to be removed soon. He also anticipates sales of several other vacant properties whose owners said they want to avoid fines.
The city has also been active in acquiring some of the worst properties, demolishing vacant structures and then selling the cleared lots.
On Monday, Mayor Kenn Stufflebeam got approval from the council to pursue the purchase of two such properties at 181 E. Court St. and 427 W. Fulton St.
“I’ve often said I don’t think the city needs to be buying property, however, there’s a couple nuisance properties coming up,” Stufflebeam said. “These may be the worst of the worst.”
Stufflebeam said the properties will be available if property taxes are not paid by the second round of taxes this fall.
Alderman Alex Gilles said he wants to make sure the city has plans to sell any new properties it acquires. Stufflebeam agreed and noted that a bid opening is scheduled for Jan. 19 for 165 N. Wall St. Stufflebeam said if that property sells, the city will only own about six lots, one of which is leased by Mid Century Communications.
In other business, the council approved the purchase of a new K-9 dog to replace Koala, the current K-9 dog who is well past his service time. Also approved was training for K-9 officer Jeremiah Ulm with Cedar Creek Kennels in Monmouth.
Darsham estimated the total cost of a new dog and training will be $15,000 to $18,000. Payment will come from the city’s K-9 fund that Darsham said has $20,000 that has been donated or accumulated at fundraisers.
